Functional Activation: This is OT’s specialty dating back to the 1900s when Occupational Therapists studied the significance of therapeutic activities with First World War-injured soldiers

OT Interventions include:

 ·      Activity scheduling and monitoring to explore the relationship between mood and activity engagement and to develop pacing strategies

·      Contingency planning to develop coping strategies when plans or events fail to meet expectations

·      Developing problem solving skills to resolve unanticipated challenges

·      Engagement through reduction of avoidance behaviours

·      Identifying goals/values to recognize meaningful activities to focus on in order to build self-confidence

·      Acquiring Life Skills in areas such as communication, relaxation, conflict resolution and life planning 

Exposure Therapy Intervention: to develop the worker’s capacity to function in situations that are reminiscent of a traumatic event that was experienced. It is a two-step process involving Education: (learning how avoidance fuels anxiety) and Planning: (developing a plan to overcome anxious situations)

·      Address symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or fear related to the trauma event or location

·      Differentiate between safe and dangerous situations applying a cognitive-behavioural framework

·      Empower the worker to better manage triggering situations

·      Reduce symptoms of trauma through incremental exposure (duration and intensity)

·      Reduce avoidance by interrupting the cycle of fear

Return to Work (RTW) Planning: Facilitate the worker’s Return to Work schedule by modifying hours and duties to promote his/her successful occupational re-entry

·      Assess the worker’s Return to Work readiness by determining their symptoms, current functional level and workplace/job demands to ensure a good fit

·      Monitor ongoing wellness at the workplace and implement supports to promote the occupational role